A drug dealer will spend his 29th birthday in prison today (August 17) after he admitted possessing more than 400 ecstasy tablets.

Bajram Kanani, of Havelock Road, Cowley, Oxford, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment at a hearing at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

Kanani was also sentenced to six months for possession of, and four months for possessing with intent to supply, a Class C drug.

The prison terms will run concurrently.

He had previously pleaded guilty to the offences after police found 439 ecstasy tablets, seven grams of cocaine and 211 grams of cannabis in his house.

The court was told that when Kanani was arrested at his home, police also found £1,200 cash hidden under his mattress.

Kanani, who is Albanian, now faces being deported after serving his sentence. Judge Anthony King condemned him as a menace to British society.

Judge King said: "I am satisfied this constitutes an extremely serious offence and that you continuing to remain here is to the detriment of this country.

"I shall recommend to the Home Secretary that, as soon as you complete the confined period of your sentence, you shall be deported.

"The number of tablets of which you were in possession is significant.

"Anyone who holds those on behalf of another dealer must expect to be punished."

The judge ordered the drugs to be destroyed. He adjourned a decision on confiscating the money.